Apparatus for winding strands of thermoplastic material, particularly of glass filaments in the course of their production

ABSTRACT

A winding apparatus for newly formed strands of thermoplastic material, constituted by filaments issuing from a plurality of spinning nozzles of a spinneret containing said material in liquid form, such as molten glass, disposed below the latter. Two winding drums on fixed axes extend in parallel to each other in a plane inclined to the horizontal, onto which are adapted to be mounted empty spools, and with which cooperate strand traverse mechanisms which serve to lay up the strands on the spools in crossing relation while the rotary movement of the latter effects a drawing-out of the filaments. The specific disposition of the winding drums permits a convenient transfer of the strands issuing from the spinneret, from the filled bobbins on one drum to the empty bobbins on the other drum without interrupting the drawing-out of the filaments. This transfer may be executed in a non-automatic, semi-automatic, or fully automatic manner. In the last-mentioned case, the completion of a predetermined number of revolutions of the active winding drum, automatically positions an auxiliary rotary winding cage onto the end of the lastmentioned drum by means of a pivotal movement followed by an axial movement of the cage. A deflecting bar shifts the strands from the bobbins being wound on the winding drum onto the winding cage whereat the drawing out of the filaments continues. The rotary cage is then moved axially from the end of the active winding drum, rotated into coaxial position with the heretofore idle winding drum and axially shifted onto the end thereof, without any interruption of the drawing out of the filaments. When the last-mentioned drum reaches its proper rotary speed, the strands are moved back from the winding cage to their winding positions governed by the strand traverse device associated with the last-mentioned drum, for filling up the spools which had been mounted on the last-mentioned drum. The first drum is braked, unloaded and charged with empty spools in readiness for the next transfer of the strands thereto, during the winding operation on the second drum.

United States Patent Brauweiler et al.

[451 Sept. 26, 1972 [72] Inventors: Wilhelm Brauweiler, Eilendorf;Gunther Winand Mager, Stolberg, both of Germany [73] Assignee: CompagnieDe Saint-Gobain-Pont- A-Mousson, Neuilly-sur-Seine,

France 22' Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 64,358

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 22, 1969 France ..6928825[52] U.S. Cl. ..242/18 A, 65/11 W, 242/18 PW, I 242/18 EW [51] Int. Cl...B65h 54/02 [58] Field of Search ..242/18 A, 18 G, 18 EW,18

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,472,460 10/1969 Kershaw.e242/l8 A 3,109,602 11/1963 Smith ..242/18 A UX 2,622,810 12/1952Stream et a1 ..242/18 A 3,279,904 10/1966 Russell et al. .....242/18 AUX 3,318,541 5/1967 Genson "1242/18 A Primary ExaminerStanley N.Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Milton S. Gerstein Att0rneySamuel Lebowitz,Dale A. Bauer, John L. Seymour and Bauer & Seymour [57 1 ABSTRACT Awinding apparatus for newly formed strands of thermoplastic material,constituted by filaments issuing from a plurality of spinning nozzles ofa spinneret containing said material in liquid form, such as moltenglass, disposed below the latter. Two winding drums ,on fixed axesextend in parallel to each other in a plane inclined to the horizontal,onto which are adapted to be mounted empty spools, and with whichcooperate strand traverse mechanisms which serve to lay up the strandson the spools in crossing relation while the rotary movement of thelatter effects a drawing-out of the filaments. The specific dispositionof the winding drums permits a convenient transfer of the strandsissuing from the spinneret, from the filled bobbins on one drum to theempty bobbins on the other drum without interrupting the drawing-out ofthe filaments. This transfer may be executed in a non-automatic,semi-automatic, or fully automatic manner. In the last-mentioned case,the completion of a predetermined number of revolutions of the activewinding drum, automatically positions an auxiliary rotary winding cageonto the end of the last-mentioned drum by means of a pivotal movementfollowed by an axial movement of the cage. A deflecting bar shifts thestrands from the bobbins being wound on the winding drum onto thewinding cage whereat the drawing out of the filaments continues. Therotary cage 18 then moved axially from the end of the active windingdrum, rotated into coaxial position with the heretofore idle windingdrum and axially shifted onto the end thereof, without any interruptionof the drawing out of the filaments. When the last-mentioned drumreaches second drum.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures United States Patent [1 1 3,693,896Brauweiler et al. [451 Sept. 26, 1972 PATENTEUssres I972 sum DlUF 10PATENTEflsEP26 I972 SHEET 020F 10 PATENTEDSEP 26 1912 SHEET [BM 10PATENTEDSEPZS 1912 189% SHEET uunr 10 PATENTEDsms m2 3.693. 896

' SHEET U7UF1O PAIENTEDsmmm I 7 3,693,896

SHEET USUF 1O PATENTEDszrzs 1972 SHEET, 10 0F 10 1 APPARATUS FOR WINDINGSTRANDS OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL, PARTICULARLY OF GLASS FILAMENTS INTHE COURSE OF THEIR PRODUCTION The invention relates to the productionof threads or strands of thermoplastic material, particularly glassthreads formed by groups of filaments issuing from the orifices of aspinneret which are drawn-out by winding on rotary bobbins. Theelementary or primary newly formed filaments are gathered in a unitarystrand are are wound on the bobbin which efiects their attenuation ordrawing-out.

When the quantity of thread wound on the bobbin has reached the desiredvalue, the operator'cuts the thread and replaces the full sleeve orbobbin with an empty sleeve, after having stopped the winding drum orcylinder. In order to effect a new winding, it is necessary to gatherthe primary or elementary filaments by hand at the outlet of thespinneret or spinning nozzles in order to form the thread. At the startof the new winding, several turns are formed by hand on the edge of thewinding drum at the time the winding cylinder is put in motion, and itis only when the winding cylinder has attained the necessary speed, andwhen the threadguide has been set in motion, that the thread is passedinto the thread-guide and wound on the sleeve.

This usual method of operation up to the present time has considerabledrawbacks. In particular, it requires the stopping of the drawing-out atthe time of changing sleeves, which gives rise to substantial lengths ofthreads of different fineness, which must be discarded. This method ofoperation also requires qualified personnel and a relatively long periodof time.

This drawback led to the use of winding machines having a winding drumwhich permits the placement of two sleeves on the latter, with thethread being wound successively thereon, by the provisions of deviceswhich transfer the threads automatically from the finished sleeve to anempty one. The winding is continued on the latter sleeve without anyinterruption in the drawing-out procedure. It isonlywhen the two sleevesare filled that it is necessary to stop the winding cylinder and replacethe full sleeves by empty ones. Such an arrangement is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,334,980, Aug. 8, 1967. Theresult is a saving of time and lesswaste.

When it was desired to operate with spinnerets having a large number oforifices, i.e., 400 or more orifices, or when it was desired to obtainfine strands of light weight, the primary filaments were divided intotwo groups and each group was gathered into one strand which was woundon a separate sleeve, with the two sleeves mounted on the windingcylinder being wound at the same time. Such an arrangement is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 3,254,850, June 7, 1966. This mode of operation ischaracterized by the same drawbacks as winding on a single bobbin at asingle winding point.

On the other hand, a device is known for the continuous successivewinding of a strand or bundle of fibers, in particular of thermoplasticmaterial, on two or more rotating bobbins arranged on a turntable, withthe full bobbin being displaced from the winding position and the emptyspool being placed in the path of the strand or bundle of fibers. Suchan arrangement is disclosed in German Pat. No. 546,162. This knowndevice presents very complex inconveniences, because the windingcylinders are mounted on a turntable and are arranged for rotarymovement, which gives rise to several problems. Besides, it is verydifficult to make the rotating turntable water-tight and dust-proof withrespect to the framework of the machine, the soiling thus producedinside the framework causing other difficulties. This apparatus alsorequires a great deal of space, in particular when it is necessary towork with winding drums 250 mm. in diameter. This space is not alwaysavailable in a direct fusion installation, if it is not intended toincrease the separation of the spinning nozzles, which would lead tooperational difficulties of the front crucibles containing thespinnerets, which in turn would lead to difficulties in regard to theproduction of the strands.

It is the object of the invention to provide a strandwinding apparatus,in particular for glass strands formed of newly formed filaments orfibers produced from molten glass, which avoids the disadvantages ofknown devices, in particular the disadvantages described above, or atleast to reduce them to 'a minimum. Also, it is the object of theinvention to provide specific arrangements which make possible theattainment of special advantages.

In order to attain these objectives, the apparatus according to theinvention comprises two winding drums or cylinders, the axes of whichare horizontal and parallel to each other and disposed in a common planeat an inclination to the horizontal. It is thus possible, when thesleeves mounted on one of the winding drums becomes full, to pass thethread immediately by hand onto the empty sleeves on the other windingdrum. The removal of the full bobbins from the first winding drum andthe charging of the latter with empty sleeves is accomplished during thewinding of' the sleeves on the second winding drum. In this way about 50percent of the time for changing is saved, (formerly 47 seconds,presently 17 seconds); and the amount of waste is reduced to a minimum.

In order to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, it should have beenpossible in principle, to arrange the two winding drums side by side orone above the other. Nevertheless, such arrangements give rise to otherdisadvantages which render such a winding operation unprofitable andthus inadequate. In this case it would be necessary to arrange thewinding drums sufficiently far away from one another so that theoperator would not impede the winding operation on the active windingdrum while replacing the full bobbins with empty sleeves on the idlewinding drum. Besides, it is necessary that the path of the thread becompletely free. Such an arrangement would then give rise to great con-'gestion, since the required space is generally not available, and itwould be necessary to provide points of return for the filaments. Inaddition, the results would be sources of disturbance throughsupplementary friction and other factors.

According to one advantageous characteristic of the invention, the axesof the parallel winding drums are disposed in a plane having aninclination of angle a with respect to the horizontal. This inclinationmay vary from 30 to 60, and preferably is 45. If the angle ofinclination a is too small or too large, it is necessary to select awide separation between the two winding drums so that the replacement ofthe full spools by the empty ones can take place without difficulty andwithout disturbing the travel of the strand during the winding of thesleeves'on the other winding drum. Such an arrangement thereforerequires a lot of space and cannot be adopted in the case of a directfusion installation. If the angle of inclination is too large, one ofthe winding cylinders is at a height which makes difficult thereplacement of a full spool by an empty one. The adoption of a 45 angleof inclination permits the arrangement of the two winding cylinders asclose together as possible along a horizontal projection, while reducingto a minimum the required space, which is of particular importance inthe production of glass filaments in a direct fusion installation.

Another advantageous characteristic of the apparatus in accordance withthe invention results from a horizontal and verticalseparation betweenthe winding drums or cylinders of preferably about 318 mm. By virtueofsuch anarrangement of the winding cylinders, the winder can still beplaced in the direct fusion installation, even if the diameterof thewinding drums is 300 mm. Such a separation or spacing also permits theoperator to replace the full spools with empty ones without difficulty,and without disturbing the winding operation.

A special feature of the invention concerns an apparatus which makespossible the transferof the winding operation from one winding cylinderonto the other entirely automatically.

Devices already have been proposed which tend to automatically effectthe passage of the thread from the full to an empty spool, an operationwhich formerly was performed by hand.

An apparatus as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,231,207, Jan. 25, 1966,contemplates winding a strand or bundle of primary fine filamentsderived from a stream feeder of heat-softened material, such as moltenglass. In this apparatus, an empty bobbin is set in rotation after beingput in place, and the winding of the strand of filaments is primed nearthe marginal zone of the empty bobbin, the strand being then wound overthe winding zone of the bobbin. A guide rod is posi-' tioned parallel tothe axis of the bobbin and is axially movable to automatically push offthe strand in the axial direction of the bobbin at the end of thewinding by separating it from the full bobbin and beyond the strandtraverse guide. The strand is maintained in separated position from thewinding zone during the changing of bobbins and is brought back to thewinding zone of the empty bobbin as soon as the latter has been put inplace and has reached its normal rotary speed. Thus, it is assured thateach bobbin contains substantially the same quantity of filament bundlesor strands. This device make possible a reduction of personnel. However,this device does not eliminate lengths of the strands of differentfineness, since the arrangement requires an interruption of thedrawing-out action during changing'of spools. Also, this apparatus doesnot reduce substantially the time necessary to change the spools.

According to an arrangement which has been made the subject of theGerman Pat. application No. P 19 01 124.6, the disadvantages of theoperations which have been executed by hand can be avoided by automationof a new winding operation which avoids the interruption of thedrawing-out action of the strand. This method consists in maintainingthe drawing-out action, as soon as one spool is filled, by winding thestrand on an auxiliary member capable of transfer onto an empty sleevelocated on another spool, and passing the strand from said auxiliarymember onto the new sleeve to effect a new winding. A proposed devicefor executing this mode of operation comprises an auxiliary member ranin the above device, havin an auxilia member constituted by a windingcrown or cage, fitted with fingers and capable of being set in rotation,upon which the strand is deflected as soon as the spool is full, andwhich is wound until it is transferred to a new empty sleeve or spool,and a deflectingdevice for the strand, making it pass from the fullspool onto the auxiliary member and from the auxiliary member to theempty sleeve, in such a way that the work can be assured with a windingapparatus having two rotary winding cylinders with fixed axes disposedin an inclined plane. Thereby the above-mentioned disadvantages areavoided. V

The desired objectives of the invention are attained by providing thewinding cage with a pivoting arm as well as with means to displace thewinding cage in the axial direction of the winding cylinders, and alsowith means to make the winding cage pivot from the axis of one of thewinding cylinders into the axis of the other winding cylinder. Thus,when the winding operation is under way, the automatic transfer from awinding cylinder having full spools onto a winding cylinder furnishedwith empty spools is effected in a simple and economical manner, withoutthe disadvantages attendant the working with winding cylinders which arenot disposed on fixed axes.

The simplification arising from the invention may be attributed in partto the mobile arrangement of the winding crown or cage, so that itsfingers may move along the axis of the winding cylinders and alsosurround their extremities. The passage of the strand from the fullsleeve onto the fingers of the winding cage, as well as the passage ofthe strand from the fingers onto the new empty sleeve is effected bymeans of a deflecting member.

In accordance with the invention, an advantageous arrangement of thedeflecting device comprises a deflecting bar adapted to deflect thestrands beyond the winding zone on one winding drum following thecompletion of the winding of the spools on the latter, and to guide thestrands onto the fingers of the coiling cage, which is followed by theconveyance of the strands from the fingers onto the empty spools of thewinding drum; a guide cylinder adapted to guide the deflection bar; anda double acting pneumatic jack adapted to displace the deflecting barfrom the starting position to the operating position and return. Astests have demonstrated, this simple arrangement of the deflectingdevice makes possible a weak deflection of the two strandssimultaneously and the transfer of these strands onto the fingers of therolling crown or cage, as well as the presentation of the strands fromthe fingers of the rolling crown onto the empty sleeves of the otherwinding drum. However, in the case where the strands could not be guidedtogether, because they could not be maintained under the same tensiontogether, the guiding may be executed by means of a deflecting barshaped as a fork.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description of a preferred and illustrative embodiment of theinvention, wherein two strands are delivered simultaneously from aunitary spinneret or fiberizing apparatus for effecting two separatewinding operations. The description of the preferred embodiment makesreference to the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the winding apparatus with two rotary windingdrums or cylinders having fixed axes disposed in an inclined plane;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the winding arrangement shown in FIG. 1,including a coiling crown or cage and a strand-deflecting device, withtheir control mechanisms;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the winding apparatus shown in FIG. 2,at the beginning of the winding operation on the upper winding cylinder;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the winding apparatus shown in FIG. 3shortly before the end of winding on the spools or sleeves of the upperwinding cylinder, with the coiling cage already having been pivoted inposition in front of the upper winding cylinder;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the winding apparatus shown in FIG. 4 ata later stage of the winding operation following the completion of thewinding on the spools, and after the strands have been deflected to thewinding cage;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus at the moment of pivotingof the coiling cage from the first winding cylinder to the secondwinding cylinder;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus at the moment when thecoiling cage has been pivoted into position adjacent to the secondwinding cylinder;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus at the moment when thefingers of the coiling cage are shifted onto the end of the secondwinding cylinder;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus at the time of startingthe winding on the second winding cylinder, following the shifting ofthe strands wound on the coiling cage onto the empty spools on thelatter, with the coiling cage and the deflecting device in start ingposition; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the control system for controlling thepivoting and translating movements of the coiling cage and of thetranslating movements of the deflecting device for the strands offilaments.

In the drawings is shown a winding machine 1 equipped with two windingdrums or cylinders A and B having fixed horizontal axes parallel to eachother which are disposed in an inclined plane. Two motors and 21 rotatethe winding cylinders A and B along the axes 22 and 23, respectively.Rotatable and reciprocable traverse guides 2,3 for the strands offilaments 4 and 5 are associated with the winding cylinders A and B,respectively. Such are well known in the art and are shown in theabove-mentioned United States patents as well as in U.S. Pat. No.2,391,870. The winder l is also equipped with a coiling crown or cage 7having fingers 19 which should not have sharp edges and which arelocated along a circle which does not vary substantially from thediameter of the sleeves which are fitted on the winding drums. Thecoiling cage is movably mounted for rotation on an arm 18. A rotarymovement is imparted to the coiling cage 7 by a motor 10, which ispreferably a three-phase alternating current motor, through theintermediary of a drive acting on a transmission belt and pulley system12, 13. A double-acting jack 8, controlling the horizontal movements ofthe coiling cage in either direction a and b (FIG. 2), acts on loop 14attached to a hollow shaft 15 mounted in a body 16. The control motor 10is integral with one of the extremities of the hollow shaft 15 and thecoiling cage 7 is fixed to the other extremity by means of an arm 18.Another double-acting pneumatic jack 9, also acting on the loop 14,controls the pivoting movements of arm 18 and thus of coiling cage 7.The winding machine is also equipped with a thread deflecting devicehaving a thread deflecting bar 6 guided within a guide cylinder 6a andcapable of being displaced by a double-acting jack 17 extending inparallel to the axes of the winding cylinders A and B. The threaddeflecting bar 6 is fastened to the extremity of the piston shaft ofjack 17.

The winding apparatus, without automatic transfer of the strand from onewinding cylinder to the other operates ,in the following manner: At thestart of the operation, the winding is primed manually, for example onthe winding cylinder A. The operator winds several turns around theextremity of the winding cylinder, starts up the winding cylinder A andputs bundles of threads 4,5, composited from filaments issuing from thenozzles of a superposed glass melting furnace in contact with the setsof cam members on the strand traverse device 2 as soon as the windingcylinder A has reached its proper speed and the strand traversing device2 begins operating. At the end of the period of the winding cycle of thebobbins, the operator withdraws the strands from winding drum A andplaces them on winding drum B. The latter is started up and the operatorplaces the strands in contact with strand traverse device 3 forto-and-fro movement of the strands as soon as the winding cylinder Battains its required speed. Removal of the full bobbins from the windingdrum A and the furnishing of the latter with empty spools isaccomplished after braking the winding cylinder A, during the windingoperation on winding cylinder 13.

The winding apparatus, with automatic transfer of the strand from onewinding cylinder or drum to the other, according to FIGS. 2 to 10,operates as follows:

At the start of the operation the winding is primed manually, forexample on the winding cylinder A. The operator winds several turnsaround the extremity of the winding cylinder, starts up the windingcylinder A and puts the bundles of threads 4 and 5 into contact with thestrand traverse device 2 when the winding cylinder A has reachedoperating speed and the cam members'on the strand traverse device start.During this time, the coiling cage 7 is. in front of winding cylinder Band the strand shifting device 6 is in starting position (FIG. 3). Atthe end of the starting operation, the operator actuates a manualpneumatic valve, which causes the coiling cage to pivot and assume itsposition in front of the winding cylinder A (FIG. 4).

'The coiling sequence of the work is effected automatically by means ofadelay relay ZR designed for this purpose. The starting operation canalso be initiated with winding cylinder B. In this case the coiling cage7 is at rest in front of winding cylinder A during this operation.

The schematic diagram of the system shown in FIG. portrays the-positionof the jacks and valves during the winding operation on cylinder Abefore changing the winding operation from cylinder A to windingcylinder B. Jack 17 is heldin position of rest by means of a magneticvalve M l and jack 8 is held in rest position by means of a magneticvalve M2 and a regulating valve R. The coiling cage 7 is maintained infront of the rotary winding cylinder A by means of jack 9 through theintermediary of pneumatically actuated auxiliary valve V3 and theregulating valve R.

A little before the end of the preselected time cycle of operation ofthe winding drum A, winding cylinder B starts so that it reaches itspredetermined operating speed at the end of the operating .cycle ofwinding cylinder A. The control motor 10 of coiling cage 7 starts,attains its predetermined speed, and imparts a rotary movement to thecoiling cage,.7. At the end of the operating cycle of winding cylinderA, the timedelay relay ZR actuates magnetic valves M1, M2 and M3 forinitiating the automatic transfer of strands 4, 5 onto winding drum B.Jack 8 is controlled by magnetic valve M2 through the intermediary ofpneumatically actuated auxiliary valve V1 and regulating valve R andisdecompressed by cam or tappet valve N1 and magnetic valve M3. Thecoiling cage 7 is displaced in the a direction (FIG. 2), and ispositioned with its fingers 19 over the end of winding cylinder A.Magnetic valve Ml simultaneously actuates jack l7 and pushes thedeflectin g bar 6 in the direction b (FIG. 2), to its extreme position(FIG. 5). Thread deflecting bar 6 seizes strands 4,5 and directs themfrom'winding cylinder A, at the zones of operation of strand traversedevice 2, onto fingers 19 of coiling cage 7, to start the auxiliarydrawing-out operation. In the forward position of jack 17, that is, whenstrands 4,5 are. being wound on coiling cage 7, the shaft of the pistonof jack 17 engages tappet valves N1 and N2. Valve N2 actuatespneumatically controlled auxiliary valve V1 to move the pivoted coilingcage 7 beyond the zone of winding cylinder A (FIG. 6). The tappet or camvalve N1 serves as an interlock and assures that the pivoting movementmay be disengaged only by the tappet valve N3, that is, when the coilingcage is disposed in front of winding cylinder A. The pneumaticallycontrolled auxiliary valve V3 is switched by means of tappet valves N1,N3, and by pneumatically controlledauxiliary valve V2 to actuate jack 9which serves to pivot coiling cage 7 in front of the empty windingcylinder B (FIG. 7). Winding cylinder A, as well as strand traversedevice 2, are disengaged and braked. Auxiliary valves V5 and V6 areclosed simultaneously with pneumatically controlled auxiliary valve V3,which cuts off the control air of auxiliary valve V2. Valve V2, as wellas valve V3 cannot be switched anew. Thereby a constant pendularmovement of coiling cage 7 is avoided. At its new end position, jack 9actuates tappet valves N4 and N5. Tappet valve N5 preselects theswitching of auxiliary valve V2. The disengagement is prevented bypneumatically controlled auxiliary valve V5 which is then closed. Tappetvalve N4 cuts in the control pressure of pneumatically controlledauxiliary valve V1, through the intermediary of pneumatically controlledauxiliary valve V4 and tappet'valve N2 which is opened by deflector bar6. The pneumatically controlled auxiliary valve Vl switches, and jack 8pushes the coiling cage 7 onto the end of the empty winding cylinder B(FIG. 8). Auxiliary valves V5 and V6 are then exhausted by means oftappet valve N3, and auxiliary valve V2 is switched by means of tappetvalve N5 and pneumatically controlled auxiliary valve V5. Thus, thepivoting movement for the following changing operation is set. Inaddition, the valve V4 is switched by means of tappet valve N5 andauxiliary valveVS. Thereby it is assured that an axial displacement cantake place only in the extreme positions of the pivoting movement, thatis, when the coiling cage 7 is in the extreme radial position in frontof the associated winding drum. Also, assurance is had that a pivotingmovement can only take place if the coiling cage 7 is placed in front ofthe winding cylinder and is spaced from the end of it, when its fingers19 are not in engagement with the extremity of the windin g cylinder.

The exchange is accomplished. Time-delay relay ZR disengages. Magneticvalves M1, M2, and M3 are no longer supplied with current and switchoff. Jack 17, energized by magnetic valve Ml pushes back deflecting bar6 to its rest position and strands 4,5 are transferred from coiling cage7 onto winding cylinder B and into the zone of the cam members of strandtraverse device 3. Jack 8 is actuated by means of magnetic valve M2 andregulating valve R and it pushes coiling cage 7 in the direction b,axially in front of winding cylinder B (FIG. 9). Jack 9 holds thewinding cage 7 in front of winding cylinder B by virtue of the switchedoff auxiliary valve V3. Motor 10 of the coiling cage is then braked. Theautomatic transfer of threads 4,5 from winding cylinder A onto windingcylinder B has been effected and the full bobbins can be removed fromthe former and new spools can be placed thereon. In addition, thebundles of filaments which had been wound during the auxiliary drawingout on fingers 19, are cut and removed from the fingers.

A new exchange takes place in similar fashion after the lapse of thepreselected period of winding, valves V2, V3 being switched and valvesN4 and N5 being actuated, while valves N6 and N7 are not actuated.

Thus, it appears from the description above, that the translating andpivoting operations in accordance with the invention, take place instrictly pneumatic fashion, following their electrical preselection.Tappet valves and control valves necessary for this purpose areregulated in order, and in chronological order, so that the operationsof the winding machine develop entirely automatically.

Although, in the illustrative embodiment described above, the windingoperation is started manually, it can also be done semi-automatically,as is described in the yet unpublished German patent applicationmentioned above. For this purpose, the strand pulling device which isplaced near the spinneret, permits the strands to fall between thefingers of the coiling cage 7, and imparts a rotary movement to the cage7 by actuating an interrupter, and the other operations are executedautomatically as described above.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments which are illustrated and described, but that manyvariations thereof may be made.

We claim:

An apparatus for winding strands of thermoplastic material composed of aplurality of newly-formed primary filaments of said material comprising.

a supporting frame,

b. a pair of rotary winding cylinders mounted on said frame foralternately collecting the strands of thermoplastic material issuingfrom a filament forming apparatus thereabove and simultaneously drawingout the primary filaments following their formation, said rotary windingcylinders being disposed along fixed horizontal axes parallel to eachother and in a plane inclined to the horizontal,

. a tubular spool adapted to be detachably mounted on eachcylinder,

d. traverse guide means cooperating with each cylinder for depositingthe strands fed thereto in crossing relation along the length of thespool mounted thereon,

. independent driving means for each winding cylinder for permitting thetransfer of the winding strands onto an empty tubular spool on thepreviously idle winding cylinder while the fully wound spool is removedfrom the previously rotating cylinder following the braking thereofpreparatory to the charging of said last-mentioned cylinder with anempty spool, comprising means for continuing the winding and drawing outof the filaments following the completion of the fully wound spool onthe first cylinder while the strands are shifted into position forwinding on the empty spool on the second cylinder,

said last-mentioned means comprising g. a rotary coiling cage ofcylindrical outline of a diameter conforming substantially to that ofsaid winding cylinders,

h. pivoted mounting means for said coiling cage to alternately shift thelongitudinal axis thereof into alignment with the longitudinal axis ofsaid winding cylinders,

. translating means for alternately shifting said coiling cage onto theend of one of said winding cylinders and removing it therefrom, and

. means for deflecting the strands longitudinally of the axis of thewinding cylinder from the fields of operation thereon to the field ofoperation of said winding cage disposed on the end of saidlast-mentioned cylinder.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coiling cagecomprises a plurality of longitudinal fingers constituting its lateralwall which are adapted to slide onto the end of each of said windingcylinders.

frame for alternately collecting the strands of thermoplastic materialissuing from a filament-forming apparatus thereabove and simultaneouslydrawing out the primary filaments following their formation, said rotarywinding cylinders being disposed along fixed horizontal axes parallel toeach other and in a plane inclined to the horizontal,

a tubular spool adapted to be detachably mounted on each cylinder,

(1. traverse guide means cooperating with each cylinder for depositingthe strands fed thereto in crossing relation along the length of thespool mounted thereon,

. independent driving means for each winding cylinder for permitting thetransfer of the winding strands onto an empty tubular spool on thepreviously idle winding cylinder while the fully wound spool is removedfrom the previously rotating cylinder following the braking thereofpreparatory to the charging of said last-mentioned cylinder with anempty spool, comprising means for continuing the winding and drawing outof the filaments following the completion of the fully wound spool onthe first cylinder while the strands are shifted into position forwinding on the empty spool on the second cylinder,

f. said last-mentioned means comprising a rotary coiling cage ofcylindrical outline of a diameter conforming substantially to that ofsaid winding cylinders,

h. an electric motor and transmission means extending therefrom to saidcoiling cage,

i. a cylindrical housing surrounding part of said transmission means,

j. means for pivoting said coiling cage to alternately shift thelongitudinal axis thereof into alignment with the longitudinal axes ofsaid winding cylinders, comprising an annular member fastened to saidhousing at the end thereof remote from said cage and a fluid actuatorconnected thereto for rocking said housing,

k. means for shifting alternately said coiling cage onto the end of oneof said winding cylinders and removing it therefrom, comprising a secondfluid actuator connected to said annular member for reciprocating saidhousing along an axis parallel to those of said winding cylinders, and

. means for deflecting the strands longitudinally of the axis of thewinding cylinder from the fields of operation thereon to the field ofoperation of said winding cage disposed on the end of saidlast-mentioned cylinder.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said last-mentionedmeans comprises a third fluid actuator having a piston movable along anaxis parallel to those of said winding cylinders, and a transverse rodextending radially from said piston for intersecting the path of thestrands from the filament-forming apparatus'to the winding cylinders inthe course of the outward movement of said piston.

6. An apparatus for winding strands of thermoplastic material composedof a plurality of newly formed primary filaments of said materialcomprising,

a. a fixed supporting frame,

b. a pair of rotary winding cylinders mounted on said frame foralternately collecting the strands of thermoplastic material issuingfrom a filament forming apparatus thereabove and simultaneously drawingout the primary filaments following their formation, said rotary windingcylinders being disposed along fixed horizontal axes parallel to eachother and in a plane inclined to the horizontal, the disposition of saidplane from the horizontal rangin g from approximately 30 to 60,

c. a tubular spool adapted tohe detachably mounted on each cylinder,

d. traverse guide means cooperating with each cylinder for depositingthe strands fed thereto in crossing relation along the length of thespool mounted thereon,

. independent driving means for each winding means for transferring thewinding strands from one winding cylinder to the other, comprisingrotating means for continuing the winding and drawing out of thefilaments following the completion of the fully wound spool on the firstcylinder while the strands are shifted into position for winding on theempty spool on the second cylinder.

1. An apparatus for winding strands of thermoplastic material composedof a plurality of newly-formed primary filaments of said materialcomprising a. a supporting frame, b. a pair of rotary winding cylindersmounted on said frame for alternately collecting the strands ofthermoplastic material issuing from a filament forming apparatusthereabove and simultaneously drawing out the primary filamentsfollowing their formation, said rotary winding cylinders being disposedalong fixed horizontal axes parallel to each other and in a planeinclined to the horizontal, c. a tubular spool adapted to be detachablymounted on each cylinder, d. traverse guide means cooperating with eachcylinder for depositing the strands fed thereto in crossing relationalong the length of the spool mounted thereon, e. independent drivingmeans for each winding cylinder for permitting the transfer of thewinding strands onto an empty tubular spool on the previously idlewinding cylinder while the fully wound spool is removed from thepreviously rotating cylinder following the braking thereof preparatoryto the charging of said last-mentioned cylinder with an empty spool,comprising means for continuing the winding and drawing out of thEfilaments following the completion of the fully wound spool on the firstcylinder while the strands are shifted into position for winding on theempty spool on the second cylinder, f. said last-mentioned meanscomprising g. a rotary coiling cage of cylindrical outline of a diameterconforming substantially to that of said winding cylinders, h. pivotedmounting means for said coiling cage to alternately shift thelongitudinal axis thereof into alignment with the longitudinal axis ofsaid winding cylinders, i. translating means for alternately shiftingsaid coiling cage onto the end of one of said winding cylinders andremoving it therefrom, and j. means for deflecting the strandslongitudinally of the axis of the winding cylinder from the fields ofoperation thereon to the field of operation of said winding cagedisposed on the end of said last-mentioned cylinder.
 2. An apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein said coiling cage comprises a plurality oflongitudinal fingers constituting its lateral wall which are adapted toslide onto the end of each of said winding cylinders.
 3. An apparatus asset forth in claim 1, including electrical and pneumatic means forautomatically and cyclically rotating and shifting said coiling cage andshifting said strand deflecting means to effect the rapid transfer ofthe winding strands from the fully wound spool on one cylinder to theempty tubular spool on the other cylinder.
 4. An apparatus for windingstrands of thermoplastic material composed of a plurality ofnewly-formed primary filaments of said material comprising a. asupporting frame, b. a pair of rotary winding cylinders mounted on saidframe for alternately collecting the strands of thermoplastic materialissuing from a filament-forming apparatus thereabove and simultaneouslydrawing out the primary filaments following their formation, said rotarywinding cylinders being disposed along fixed horizontal axes parallel toeach other and in a plane inclined to the horizontal, c. a tubular spooladapted to be detachably mounted on each cylinder, d. traverse guidemeans cooperating with each cylinder for depositing the strands fedthereto in crossing relation along the length of the spool mountedthereon, e. independent driving means for each winding cylinder forpermitting the transfer of the winding strands onto an empty tubularspool on the previously idle winding cylinder while the fully woundspool is removed from the previously rotating cylinder following thebraking thereof preparatory to the charging of said last-mentionedcylinder with an empty spool, comprising means for continuing thewinding and drawing out of the filaments following the completion of thefully wound spool on the first cylinder while the strands are shiftedinto position for winding on the empty spool on the second cylinder, f.said last-mentioned means comprising g. a rotary coiling cage ofcylindrical outline of a diameter conforming substantially to that ofsaid winding cylinders, h. an electric motor and transmission meansextending therefrom to said coiling cage, i. a cylindrical housingsurrounding part of said transmission means, j. means for pivoting saidcoiling cage to alternately shift the longitudinal axis thereof intoalignment with the longitudinal axes of said winding cylinders,comprising an annular member fastened to said housing at the end thereofremote from said cage and a fluid actuator connected thereto for rockingsaid housing, k. means for shifting alternately said coiling cage ontothe end of one of said winding cylinders and removing it therefrom,comprising a second fluid actuator connected to said annular member forreciprocating said housing along an axis parallel to those of saidwinding cylinders, and l. means for deflecting the strandslongitudinally of the axis of the winding cylinder from the fields ofoperation thereon to the field of operation of said winding cagedisposed on the end of said last-mentioned cylinder.
 5. An apparatus asset forth in claim 4, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises athird fluid actuator having a piston movable along an axis parallel tothose of said winding cylinders, and a transverse rod extending radiallyfrom said piston for intersecting the path of the strands from thefilament-forming apparatus to the winding cylinders in the course of theoutward movement of said piston.
 6. An apparatus for winding strands ofthermoplastic material composed of a plurality of newly formed primaryfilaments of said material comprising, a. a fixed supporting frame, b. apair of rotary winding cylinders mounted on said frame for alternatelycollecting the strands of thermoplastic material issuing from a filamentforming apparatus thereabove and simultaneously drawing out the primaryfilaments following their formation, said rotary winding cylinders beingdisposed along fixed horizontal axes parallel to each other and in aplane inclined to the horizontal, the disposition of said plane from thehorizontal ranging from approximately 30* to 60*, c. a tubular spooladapted to be detachably mounted on each cylinder, d. traverse guidemeans cooperating with each cylinder for depositing the strands fedthereto in crossing relation along the length of the spool mountedthereon, e. independent driving means for each winding cylinder forpermitting the transfer of the winding strands onto an empty tubularspool on the previously idle winding cylinder while the fully woundspool is removed from the previously rotating cylinder following thebraking thereof preparatory to the charging of said last-mentionedcylinder with an empty spool, and f. means for transferring the windingstrands from one winding cylinder to the other, comprising rotatingmeans for continuing the winding and drawing out of the filamentsfollowing the completion of the fully wound spool on the first cylinderwhile the strands are shifted into position for winding on the emptyspool on the second cylinder.